Safeguarding those in our care

Chair of Governors’ Statement Safeguarding those in our care

National Star’s robust approach to safeguarding is at the forefront of all aspects of our provision, ensuring the continued safety of the vulnerable learners, residents and clients using our services.

The charity promotes a ‘no blame culture’ with an open door policy for any member of staff, learner or resident who has concerns about safeguarding. Our safeguarding team works closely with staff and learners to ensure appropriate training and delivery on the Prevent agenda, Fundamental British Values and Safe, Healthy Relationships. This is woven throughout learners’ education through differentiated teaching and learning opportunities, both in and out of the classroom.

The personalised learning team work closely with the safeguarding team to ensure that learners understand the support networks available to them. This takes place during the first half term of the academic year by way of an induction package for new learners and as a refresher for returners. This is reinforced throughout the year on an individual basis. The effectiveness of National Star’s approach towards safeguarding and its role in supporting learners’ outcomes is recognised through Natspec (the membership association for organisations providing specialist services for students with disabilities) which regularly asks National Star to provide advice and guidance to other organisations. A robust safeguarding process also means we are transparent in our operations and investigations. In 2020 – 21, there were 216 potential incidents investigated by the safeguarding team. This number reflects the effectiveness of the charity’s open culture of reporting and how learners and staff feel safe that they can express concerns. It also illustrates the strong interactions between staff and learners about the importance of safeguarding. Of the reported potential incidents, 19 were referred to other agencies such as Gloucestershire Safeguarding, the home area local authority and the Care Quality Commission. The majority of the investigations are low level concerns which often require staff management supervision and / or refresher training. Although we have seen an increase in the number of safeguarding concerns reported for investigation, these have been largely found to be attributable to issues around staff retention and recruitment, refresher courses not face to face (this has been rectified) and COVID–related issues such as the appropriate use of PPE and learner mental health. The rise in reported concerns also reflects the increased number of learners with greater complexities. The National Safeguarding Lead reports directly to the Board of Governors and a link Governor attends termly safeguarding strategic group meetings. National Star works closely with Gloucestershire Safeguarding Children and Adults boards. We achieved 97% on Gloucestershire’s Children’s Safeguarding Annual Audit. Learners are taught vital skills to keep themselves safe and healthy. In the 2020 – 21 Student Perception of College survey, 95% of learners who completed the survey felt safe at college all or most of the time.

Safeguarding practice is embedded within all aspects of staff development. This includes a robust induction combining virtual and face–to–face learning, regular safe working practice training delivered face to face by a Head or Director and it is a standing agenda item within every team meeting. In the 2021 staff survey, 96% of staff felt safeguarding arrangements are effective at National Star, an increase of 4% from 2020.

We continue to develop and improve our robust safeguarding across National Star. It goes without saying that safeguarding is at the heart of our services used by vulnerable young people.

Without National Star... “Andy would just be in a care home rather than at Foundation House, a place he considers his home. “

When the pandemic started in early 2020, Andy was in the critical care unit of Gloucestershire Royal Hospital due to aspiration pneumonia. He had lived at National Star’s long–term living accommodation in Gloucester – Foundation House – for seven years. He was fitted with a permanent tracheostomy stoma formation and a total laryngectomy, which has further complicated his complex care needs. He was discharged from hospital due to clinicians’ concerns of him remaining in hospital with COVID–19 cases.

Andy, who, at the age of 14, received life–changing injuries in a road accident, wanted to return to Foundation House, but the changes to his health meant that National Star needed to increase Andy’s level of medical care. For months, National Star worked with the Clinical Commissioning Group from his home area to negotiate a package that would meet the costs of his care. National Star put the care in place so that Andy could return home to Foundation House even before the funding was negotiated.

‘The team at National Star never once hesitated and did everything in their power to keep Andy where he wanted to be, Foundation House,’ says Andy’s family. ‘We were all reassured again and again that Foundation House was his home. During those months of uncertainty, that reassurance was so important to Andy and to ourselves.’